HOST: Hi! It's voting time again.
Time to get registered, research the candidates
and issues, and make your voice heard.
Many people with disabilities are able to
vote on our own,
but some of us may need an assistant
who can help with part or all of
the voting process.
Almost anyone can be an assistant including a friend,
family member, care provider, or poll worker.
But, my vote is my personal private choice.
If you're an assistant, you have to respect
my privacy and independence.
ASSISTANT: Ok. How?
HOST: Here are some do's and don'ts,
and you can find more detailed information and
links to local resources at
I'll need to register to vote.
You can assist me with finding out how.
Depending on the county, registrations can be done
in person, through the mail, or online.
You can also assist me in researching
candidates and issues, so I can
figure out who and what I want to vote for.
ASSISTANT: You should vote for him.
[buzzer sound]
HOST: No no no no...
your vote is your decision, but please don't
make any personal political statements to me.
I don't want to feel uncomfortable or pressured to vote
the way that you want.
Where can I find information about who to vote for?
ASSISTANT: Here's a nonpartisan voters' guide.
[chime sound]
HOST: That's better. You can assist me in finding
information but don't include your opinion.
When researching, the assistant can help take notes
that can be used later when voting,
and you can also assist me making sure every step of
the voting process is accessible to me.
Look into alternative format for ballots:
pamphlets and voters' guides
published by state, county or city election offices.
This could be large print, Braille, or audiotapes.
We can also check with our local election office
to find out about accessible voting units (AVUs).
VOTER: Do you have accessible voting units?
[trumpet music]
HOST: During the vote, assistants can help
voters get to polling places or fill out
a mail-in ballot.
For example, you can read a ballot out loud.
ASSISTANT: Governor: Candidate A, Candidate B
or Candidate C.
[chime sound]
HOST: Make sure you don't try to influence my choices.
You can ask me what choice I want to make,
and help me make sure the ballot is marked correctly.
But never make assumptions or
suggestions about my preferences.
ASSISTANT: Are sure you want to vote
for that candidate?
That candidate did a terrible job as Mayor.
[buzzer sound]
ASSISTANT: X, Y and Z are running for this position,
but really only X and Y stand a chance.
Any votes for Z are just a waste of time.
[buzzer sound]
HOST: Wait, hold on!
ASSISTANT: If this initiative doesn't get enough
yes votes, they're going to cut all your benefits!
VOTER: WHAT!
[buzzer sound]
HOST: Aah, stop! Try again.
You can assist by just reading
the list of candidates in the order that
they're printed.
ASSISTANT: Would you like vote for X, Y, or Z?
[chime sound]
HOST: That's way better!
Never pressure me to vote a certain way.
In fact, depending on your location,
influencing someone's vote might break the law.
Once the ballot is filled out,
make sure I have a chance to review it
privately before submitting.
[chime sound]
[trumpet music]
HOST: At a polling place, the assistant can help
by making sure the ballot is handed in properly.
On mail-in ballots, the assistant can make sure
the ballot is properly signed according to
the rules in your location.
And lastly, how I voted is a private decision.
DEMONSTRATOR: Who'd she vote for?
ASSISTANT: That's her business.
[chime sound]
HOST: That's right! Don't discuss my
decisions with anybody else.
Remember, voting is a private, personal decision.
Assistants can make a big difference by assisting
voters with disabilities, but they must
make sure that the voter's privacy and independence
is secure.
EVERYONE: Go vote!
HOST: For more information on assisting voters,
or voting, for people with disabilities, check out: